Snap-hook



S. M. STILSON.

SNAP HOOK.

Patented Aug., 11, 1896.

(No Model.)

Jpezzcer/ll. pmm,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SPENCER MOREHOUSE STILSON, OF PRICE, MICHIGAN.

SNAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,520, dated August 1 1, 1896.

Application filed April 6, 1896. sentinel. 586,449. (No model.)

ter so constructed as to prevent the ring or loop to which the hook is applied assuming such a position therein as to force open the spring of the hook and pass out of the latter.

To this end the invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as Will be hereinafter fully illustrated, described, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a snap-hook constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation illustrating the hook in open position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the figures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the ordinary eye of a snap-hook, and 2 the hook proper, such hook being connected to the eye 1 by means of a shank 3, all of which'are formed of a single piece and are either of cast or malleable iron, brass, or other suitable material. At each side of the shank 3 and projecting outwardly therefrom is a flange 4, and formed in said shank between the flanges 4 is a depression 5 for a purpose to be hereinafter stated.

A fiat spring 6 is disposed between the flanges 4, and the end of such spring, immediately adjacent to the eye 1, is curved and bent under the main portion of the same. This curved end is seated in the depression 5, and for securely retaining the same therein atransverse bar 7 is employed. This bar is integral with the inner sides of the flanges 4, and the curved end of the spring passes under the same, whereby such curved end is held in the depression 5 and prevented being displaced therefrom.

As clearly illustrated, the spring 6 is of sufficient length to extend under and contact with the hook 2. Disposed above the spring 6 is a locking-bar 8, of the same material as the body of the snap-hook, which locking-bar is pivotally secured between the flanges 4 and near the outer edge thereof by means of a pin 9; and it will be noted that this bar lies against the spring 6, one end, 10, of such locking-bar being beveled and normally seated in the outer side of the hook 2, which is cut away in order to receive the beveled end of the bar 8. The opposite end, 11, of the latter extends slightly beyond the end of the flanges 4, the object of which is to easily permit such end being depressed by means of the thumb'or a finger. The inner side of the locking-bar 8, in rear of the pivot-pin 9, is provided with a cam-shoulder 12, by which, when the end 11 of the locking-bar 8 is depressed, the spring 6 will also be depressed and caused to recede from the inner side of the hook 2. The flanges 4 at the point of connection with the eye 1, as clearly illustrated in the drawings, are provided with flaring ends 13, and it will be obvious that while such flaring ends will permit easy operation of the locking-bar they also prevent an object accidentally contacting therewith and depressing the same, whereby the hook would be opened.

From the foregoing the operation and advantages of the herein-described snap-hook will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. When it is desired to attach the hook to a ring or loop, the end 11 of the lock ing-bar 8 is depressed, by which operation the beveled end 10 thereof is elevated, and by means of the cam-shoulder 12 the spring 6 is also depressed. Such spring is thereby caused to recede from the inner side of the hook 2, when the ring or loop may be passed into said hook and secured therein. By removing the pressure from the end 11 of the bar 8 the spring 6 will immediately return to the inner side of the hook 2, closing over the point of junction of the bar 8 and the hook 2,

a hook at one of its ends and flanges projecting from each of its sides, a locking-bar pivoted between the flanges, one end of said locking-bar normally contacting with the outer 5 side of the hook, and a spring secured be- I0 and springing back by contact with the rear end of the lockingbar when the hook is opened, substantially as set forth.

2. A snap-hook, comprising a shank having a hook formed at one of its ends and flanges r 5 projecting from each of its sides and having one of their ends flaring, a locking-bar pivoted between the fiangesand provided with a cam-shoulder, one end of said locking-bar normally contacting with the outer side of 20 the hook, and a spring secured between the flanges of the shank and extending along the inner side of the locking-bar, said spring closing over the point of junction of said lockingbar and the hook of the shank and springing back to open the hook when the cam-shoulder is forced against the same, substantially as set forth.

3. A snap-hook, comprising a shank having a hook at one of its ends, a locking-bar pivoted to the shank and having one end thereof contacting with the hook, and a flat spring extending along the inner side of the lockingbar and closing over the point of junction be tween said locking-bar and the hook of the shank, and springing back by contact with the rear end of the locking-bar when the hook is opened, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SPENCER MOREHOUSE S'IILSON.

\Vitnesses:

T. L. Frrz, CHAS. A. COLE. 

